Woodward FamilyThe ancient name of Woodward is derived from the forest keepers; the Woodward's of the Hundred Rolls in the reign of Edward 1st.

Our ancestor, John Giles (b. abt 1624 d. 1703), married Philarite Woodward, daughter of Thomas Woodward (b. Abt 1600/1604-1677). There are numerous legal references that attest to Philarite being Thomas’s daughter. I became very interested in Philarite’s ancestors, and now post the results of my research. I have a distinct opinion about the identify of these ancestors, but welcome any input from others that either refute or help confirm my views, as expressed here.

The Arms Used by the Woodward Family of KENT, ENGLAND:

ARMS: argent a chevron sable between three grasshoppers vert.CREST: a demi woodman couped at the knees. Vest gules, hair disheveled or in his dexter hand a honeysuckle of the ppr., stalked and leaved vert. Archaeologia Cantiana: “THE WOODWARDS' MANSION, NOW BROOK PLACE. An old mansion, taken down many years ago, which stood on the site of Brook Place, was held by a family named "Woodward " for a longer period than has been generally supposed — I may say 300 years. Richard Woodward in his will, dated 21st February 1516, bequeathed his soul to God, to our Lady of Pity, and to the blessed company of Heaven, and his body to be buried in the parish Church of Essheford beside Elizabeth his first wife, on her left hand ; 6s. 8d. to the High Altar there for tithes negligently forgotten ; 3s. 4d. to the Light of Jesus ; 3s. 4d. to the Light of our Lady of Pity ; 3s. 4d. to the Light of St. Anne (apparently a favourite Saint in Ashford) ; 3s. 4d. to the Light of St. Margaret and St. Katharine ; 20d. to the Light of St. Clement ; and 20d. to the Light of St. George ; 24 ozs. of silver to be made into a chalice for the said church, with the sign of Jesus and the name of Edward engraved at the foot, to be used at Jesus's altar ; also a vestment, value £5, to the mass of Jesus ; 20d. to a priest to sing for the souls of his father and mother, himself and his wives, and all Christian souls for two years ; the residue of his goods to Edward his son, whom he makes his executor; John Halys to be overseer of his will, to whom he gives £3 6s. 8d. His lands in Esshetisforde, Wyllesborough, Sevyngton, Throwley, West-well, Ospringe, Bilsington, Newchurch, Eokyng, and the Isle of Harty in Kent, had been enfeoffed by him to John Halys, William Twesynden, Robert Hall, and Richard Hall. He desired that Alice his wife should receive the profits of his messuage, with the appurtenances both freehold and copyhold thereto belonging, with his tenement at the Bridge of Assheford, for all the term of her life natural and half a year after her decease ; and he gave to her all the bedding in the great chamber next the porch of his house, and the bed in the same porch”.

Generation One:

RICHARD WOODWARD of Asford, Kent. I do not know when Richard was born, but he died 1516/1517 in Ashford, Kent. Richard married twice: his 1st wife was ELIZABETH; his 2nd wife (at the time of his death) was Alice. Richard & Elizabeth are buried in the parish Church of Ashford. Richard Woodward’s will: 9 Feb. 1517, #3936-R. O. - WILL of RICHARD WOODWARDE: His will, dated 21 Feb. 8 Hen. VIII. 1516. Desires to be buried at Essheforde, beside Elizabeth his first wife. Bequeaths 6s. 8rf. to the high altar there, for unpaid tithes, and other sums, to the lights of Jesus, Our Lady of Pity, St. Ann, &c.; 24 oz. of silver to be made into a chalice for the said church, with the sign of Jesus mid (he name of Edward engraved at the foot, to be used at Jesus' altar ; 20 marks to a priest for the souls of his father and mother, himself and his wives, for two years ; the residue of his goods to Edward his son, whom he makes his executor, and John Halys to be his overseer. As to his lands in Esshetisforde, Wyllesberough, &c., in Kent, enfeofled by him to John Halys, William Twesynden, Robert Hall and Richard Hall, desires Alice his wife to receive the profits, and to have the bedding and the great chamber near the porch, to descend to Edward his son, who shall also have the residue of the lands till Richard, the son ofWilliam, Edward's brother, be of age ; and if he die previously, to his sister Joan and the heirs of her body, with contingent remainder to Edward Woodward and Margaret his wife.” Proved at Lambeth, 9 Feb. 1517. Pp. 9. Endd.From his will, we are able to state he had two children:1) EDWARD (the eldest) (for his children, see next page)2) William (see below)Richard Woodward’s will was proved 9 February 1517 in Lambeth, England, by Edward, his son.

Generation Two:

EDWARD WOODWARD. I have been unable to find any documentation of when Edward Woodward died. We only know that he was living in 1517, and was of age. Edward is mentioned in his father Richard's will of 1516. He does not appear further in Ashford, though his brother William's family does. His father's will was proved in Lambeth in 1517, and Edward was the executor. His father owned land in Ashford and Willesborough, Kent.... in the southeast corner of England, below London. Surrey is also in this area. We know that his wife’s name was MARGARET, from Richard’s will. The History and Antiquities of the Parish of Lambeth, and the Archiepiscopal ... By Thomas Allen, page 437: Mr. Nicholas, in his History of Lambeth, pg 55 appendix, says, "there are two old spacious tombs on the south side, and one on the north side of Leigh's chapels. The former without any inscription or arms visible, are for the families of Sir George Chute, and that of WOODWARD, and the other on the north side, had formerly an inscription." These have since disappeared.Here are the children of Edward, particularly through his son CHRISTOPHER. I believe it also possible that Henry and Thomas were his sons, but further research is needed on them. 1. EDWARD WOODWARD * (living 1517)sp: Margaret |-2. CHRISTOPHER WOODWARD * (b.Abt 1530 d.(probably By 1575)) | sp: Margaret | |-3. Sara WOODWARD | | sp: Thomas EMERSON of Southwark in com. Surrey | |-3. Elizabeth WOODWARD | | sp: Thomas LANGLEY | | sp: John SOROCOLDE -Constable of Manchester, draper (m.gen. license, 24 February 1592/3) | |-3. Catharine WOODWARD (m. Bacoeman of the City of York) | | sp: John BACOEMAN of York | |-3. Anne WOODWARD | | sp: John BROWNE of London | sp: ELIZABETH OLDEBERRY (OLDBURY) * (d.Aug-Nov 1620-St. Olave Parish,Southwark,Co Surry,England) | |-3. CHRISTOPHER WOODWARD* (b.Abt 1570-Lambeth,Surrey,England d.25 Aug 1627-England) | | sp: KATHERINE AUDLEY * (m.20 Jun 1603 d.1638-Lambeth Marsh,Surrey,England (will probated)) | |-3.Susan WOODWARD (d.Bef 1620) | | sp: John KING of Bromley, Kent (& London) (b.1552 d.5 Sep 1603) | | sp: Henry WALTON of London | +-3. Rebecca WOODWARD(d.Bef 1620) | sp: John SAYER (SAWYER) of Battersey (living 1620) |-2. Henry WOODWARD (working hypothesis) (d.by 1592) | sp: Agnes | +-3. Joan WOODWARD | sp: Edward ALLEYNE (actor) +-2. Thomas WOODWARD (working hypothesis)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------William Woodward, son of Richard. William, but more particularly William’s son Richard, are mentioned in Richard (the firsts) will of 21 Feb. 8 Hen. VIII. 1516. 1. William WOODWARD. (son of Richard who died 1516/17)

He had the following children:

+ 2 M i. Richard WOODWARD (2nd of the name) of Woodmarsh (Ashford).

3 F ii. Joan WOODWARD. Is mentioned in her grandfather's 1516 will.

Next Generation

2. Richard WOODWARD (2nd of the name) of Woodmarsh (Ashford)1 (William, Richard). He is mentioned in his grandfather Richard Woodward's will of 21 Feb. 8 Hen. VIII. 1516, at which time he was underage. (repeated quote) As to his lands in Esshetisforde, Wyllesberough, &c., in Kent, enfeofled by him to John Halys, William Twesynden, Robert Hall and Richard Hall, desires Alice his wife to receive the profits, and to have the bedding and the great chamber near the porch, to descend to Edward his son, who shall also have the residue of the lauds till RICHARD, the son of WILLIAM, Edward's brother, be of age; and if he die previously, to his sister Joan and the heirs of her body, with contingent remainder to Edward Woodward and Margaret his wife. Proved at Lambeth, 9 Feb. 1517. Pp. 9. Endd.

History of Ashford gives a genealogy of Richard's descendants. It states the pedigree is compiled from the Visitation of 1619, as given in Berry, and from the Registers.

He had the following children:

+ 4 M i. William WOODWARD (died 1585).

Third Generation

4. William WOODWARD (died 1585) (Richard, William, Richard) died Jul 1585 in Ashford and was buried 18 Jul 1585. History of Ashford, page 157, gives a genealogy of this family. It states the pedigree is compiled from the Visitation of 1619, as given in Berry, and from the Registers.

Important Note: An unknown Woodward male about this time had a wife named Elizabeth: Some Pedigrees from the Visitation of Kent, 1663-68 - By Sir Edward Bysshe, Joseph Jackson Howard, Robert Hovendenm, has a very interesting reference: ""Elizabeth WOODWARD of Essheford (ASHFORD), widow, in her will, proved in Canterbury 22 March 1624, mentioned "my sister SHEAFE of CRANBROOKE.." Who was she?! (Perhaps the date listed is in book is off by a year, and it was this Elizabeth? And the question is, how was Elizabeth related to the Woodward’s of Upton, Buckinghamshire?)